Messages - whoinow

I have installed 2 times now, only to have misc. video issues. I am going to start with another fresh Ubuntu install and LinuxMCE install. Before I install LinuxMCE, do the people who have had successful installs have any suggestions for everything to go smoothly? I have let LinuxMCE do everything (update Ubuntu and find all my hardware) and it just doesn't seem to work. I also tried installing the nVIDIA drivers beforehand and that didn't work. So any information, tips and/or tricks on install would be great. I would love for this thread to grow because I am sure there are others wondering the same things I am.